UF Agronomy ‘At the Cutting Edge of Feeding the World’

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS September 9, 2019) — Diane
Rowland’s first professional job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
National Peanut Research Laboratory set her on what she says has been an unanticipated
path concerning the world’s food supply.

Now, as the new
chair of the University of Florida’s agronomy department, Rowland recognizes the
critical role her department plays in the future of food production.

Diane RowlandPhoto taken 05-31-19

“Here in Florida,
we’re producing the kinds of crops that provide most of the world’s calories,”
she said. “We have such diversity of expertise in the department that we
represent not only Florida’s agriculture but also the world’s. To be able to
lead a group that’s at the cutting edge of feeding the world is really a
privilege.”

Since joining the
UF/IFAS faculty nine years ago, Rowland’s accomplishments have extended beyond
her own research program, which has focused on everything from peanut to cotton
to turf. Even before taking on the role of interim chair in January, Rowland has
been a leader in seeking ways to build opportunities for faculty and students.

One of her first
tasks upon coming to UF was to collaboratively establish an agroecology
graduate program, which has since expanded with Ph.D. and certificate
offerings. She has also assisted in establishing programs for students to
receive mentorship from industry professionals, and just over a year ago, she founded
the transdisciplinary Center for Stress Resilient Agriculture after identifying
the value that other areas of expertise could add to strengthening the world’s
food production needs.

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“Science excites
me, and I live to collaborate,” Rowland said. “When you’re open to that, I
think that leads to many new opportunities.”

Jack Payne, UF senior
vice president of agriculture and natural resources, praised Rowland’s advocacy
for collaboration and dispelling “old paradigms that would put agriculture and
natural resources at odds.”

“Dr. Rowland’s
team approach to science gives me great confidence in the department’s future,”
Payne said. “I look forward to Dr. Rowland’s leadership in making the science
of agriculture and of natural resources a single problem-solving approach to
the grand challenges of the next few decades.”

Rowland entered
the interim position with a list of proposed initiatives for the department,
some of which she’s already set into motion and others that will guide her in
the days to come. Among the already-accomplished tasks was filling two
associate chair positions, Jose Dubeux at the North Florida Research and
Education Center in Marianna and Luke Flory on the Gainesville campus.

“I think of leadership as servant leadership and trying to determine what’s best for the group or what’s best for forwarding individuals in the group,” she says of adding the associate chair positions in separate locations to unite the diverse and widespread department. “I find my reward in promoting the success of others.”